ISSUE #633: Oct. 30-Nov. 6, 2016

Christmas Shopping Chaos Has Begun

Brian Timmons

Dear friends,

When I started Residencias Los Jardines, I started writing a weekly newsletter -determined to tell all the good, bad, and the ugly. I knew some readers would be interested in the construction process. I expected others might be interested in the lifestyle of two people who had decided to live outside the box. For others, the adventures of Lita, the parrot and the cat took on an entertainment saga all its own.

Residencias Los Jardines is finished. We periodically have re-sales and rental availability. Some readers may be interested in this information.

Each of the units consists of two bedrooms / two bathrooms, and a large living/dining/kitchen area. The floor plan of each of these units has eliminated the optional "den / office" divider. The result is a larger area offering more flexible furniture arrangements while still maintaining the option of including an office area. At 105m2 plus two parking spots each and storage locker, they offer a great opportunity for someone seeking views, security, central location, and first class, all round living...

This is a fully furnished 2-bedroom unit situated in a 2-story building, which has two units on the ground floor and two units on the 2nd. floor. Each unit is the same size (1,250sf) divided into 800 sf of interior space and 450 sf of covered front and back terraces. Units 106A and B are on the ground floor; Units 106 C and D are on the 2nd. Floor. The solid masonry demising wall (common wall) as well as the 5" concrete slab prevent sound transference.

This 1,716 sf. (plus parking for one car) two story, detached house, with three terraces, two bedrooms (one on each floor) and upstairs master suite is a beautiful home. This home consists of two VERY large bedrooms (one on each floor) with en-suite bathrooms and a powder room, each with large closets with extensive built-ins for personal organization. The vaulted living room and ground floor bedroom ceilings as well as the master bedroom on the 2nd floor, provide a feeling of grandeur while allowing the warmer air to rise and exit through the ceiling ventilating system. There are three TVs (one in each bedroom and one in the living room.) This is a beautiful home. There is a rough-in for a dishwasher in the kitchen area.

This 1,290 sf. (plus covered parking for one car and two lockers 67 sf.) single story, semi detached house, with garden terrace, two bedrooms is a beautiful executive style home. This home consists of two large bedrooms one with six piece en-suite bathroom with additional access to separate full shower. Each bedroom has large closets with extensive built-ins for personal organization. The vaulted living room and bathroom ceilings provide a feeling of grandeur while allowing the warmer air to rise and exit through the ceiling ventilating system. There are four TVs (one in each bedroom, one in the living room and one in breakfast / dinning room.) This is a beautiful well appointed home.

This is a fully furnished 2-bedroom unit situated in a 2-story building, which has two units on the ground floor and two units on the 2nd. floor. Each unit is the same size (1,250sf) divided into 800 sf of interior space and 450 sf of covered front and back terraces. Units 106A and B are on the ground floor; Units 106 C and D are on the 2nd. Floor. The solid masonry demising wall (common wall) as well as the 5" concrete slab prevent sound transference.

Our Lives

Weather: Rains are backing off as we move into November, the usual month to transition into the dry season.

Christmas Shopping: Yes, even more cars are now on the roads... if that is possible... Wal-Mart held "Black Friday" and it was chaos and bedlam... I had an appointment at Paradisus at 9am... I missed it and 90 min. of driving for nothing!!! I m going to try again on Sunday. The next two months will be even more difficult to get around.

I did receive two viewings for rentals... one resulted in a deal. However, every source I hear from, says the market is really, really dead... some are hopeful that the US elections this week will drive clients here... from the loosing party... I did meet one couple who have been here a week for dental work... they want to move... no research, no planning... sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

News Items of the Weeknews

Comments

1. Corporate Tax: it is back on. It only took a year to do and all they had to do was to advertise the final version.

A legislative committee began working under a deadline Thursday to quickly dispose of 200 suggested amendments and report out the proposed tax on corporations.

The committee, the Comisión Permanente de Asuntos Hacendarios, had bottled up the reinstatement of the tax all year, but a vote by the full legislature set the deadline.

This is bill No. 19.818 that establishes a tax on sociedades anónimas, limited liability corporations and similar entities. The tax is important to expats because many hold homes and vehicles in a corporate structure.

Once the bill leaves the committee, passage is likely because 42 lawmakers voted to put the measure on a so-called fast track.

The bill is expected to raise 45 billion colons or about $82.25 million of which 90 percent is supposed to go to the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública. The minister, Gustavo Mata, wants to hire 1,000 new police officers.

The original version of the bill said the money could not be used for personnel, but moving money around in a governmental budget is easy. The ministry got in trouble because the central government cut its budget in anticipation of the tax proceeds. But then the Sala IV constitutional court declared the tax unconstitutional in January 2015. The problem was the failure to advertise the final version of the original tax.

The new bill has a sliding scale ranging from 64,000 to 212,000 colons, about $117 to $388.

2. Garbage pickup going nocturnal

The health ministry has approved the collection of garbage during evening hours. The decision was based largely on the need to reduce traffic congestion during the day. Garbage trucks are infamous for causing urban backups as well as moving slow and slower on the highways.

3. Police officer detained as a participant in a vehicle theft ring By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministerio de Seguridad Pública said it was moving quickly to fire the 28-year-old officer.

The arrests were made in Belén de Heredia, and the police officer was reported to work in San Joaquín de Heredia.

The two vehicle thefts were earlier this year. Both cars were recovered. During the second theft, a security camera captured clear views of the participants, said the Judicial Investigating Organization.

This is the second scandal this week involving the police force.

Two officers on the Caribbean coast were detained earlier for their complicity with a truck hijack ring.

Corruption among police officers has been a continual problem, and Gustavo Mata Vega, the security minister, has insisted on a zero-tolerance policy.

4. Costa Ricans now have direct flights to Munich

Starting this month, Costa Ricans will be able to take a direct flight to Munich, Germany.

This was reported by the German airline Condor, which indicated that this promotion is part of the celebrations to mark 25 years of flying to our country.

In addition, Condor will have 3 flights a week to Frankfurt.

Carsten Sasse, Condor’s commercial director for Latin America said that from November 8th, the airline will offer for the first time a flight at Munich International Airport, leaving Juan Santamaria International Airport every Tuesday and the flights to Frankfurt from Costa Rica leave on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays,”

These long-haul flights will be operated with Boeing 767-300 aircraft, which have a capacity of 259 passengers, of which 18 are in Business Class and 35 in Premium Class.

Sasse said Condor will expand the frequency of flights between San José and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to 3 times a week and will start operations the route between the Costa Rican capital and Punta Cana with a weekly flight.